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This Motivation Monday brings us less than two weeks from the official start of the 2015 holiday season. With all the hustle and bustle ahead, I thought it was the perfect time to address an often overlooked piece of the healthy lifestyle puzzle: sleep. What better time to post about it than halfway through National Sleep Comfort Month? I know, there’s a month and a day for everything. However in all seriousness, rest is a necessity for our overworked bodies and overtaxed minds.

My repeat readers already know I am a huge promoter of taking at least one day off from the workout routine each week. That time off allows muscles to recover, repair and rebuild. It can also help you return to the norm with more energy to kick some serious butt. When it comes to sleep, even those who can survive on less shut-eye than others still need to maintain healthy sleep habits to keep the mind alert and stress levels down.

Here are a few of the tricks I use to try to keep my zzzz levels at an even keel:

Social Media Shut Down: 30 minutes before bed, eliminate all electronic stimulation. If you post a good night on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feeds, t’s not the end of the world.

Soothing Tea: At this time of year, I always have a box of “Sleepytime” tea from Celestial Seasonings somewhere in my kitchen. There’s something about the caffeine-free blend of chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass that helps me wind down after a long day.

Soothing Scents: Other supplies in my fall and winter stockpile include the “Sleep” products from Bath & Body Works. I love the combination of lavender and vanilla in everything from body lotion to linen sprays. There’s something about a soothing scent that can help block out all the noise from the outside world.

Need more ideas? I’m sharing this handy guide created by the sleep experts with one perfect mattress at Casper. Thanks to their team for reaching out and offering these tips to my readers.

Remember, never underestimate the power of a good night sleep to stay on track with your plans to have fun, be fit and feel fabulous!